Perched above the Barwon River, just one hour away from Melbourne, lies an old paper mill. When it opened in 1878, this site was one of the most advanced paper mills in the Southern Hemisphere. Now, this heritage-listed space is a bustling precinct, complete with a cafe, a winery, a gallery, arts studios and more. Fyansford Paper Mill is less than 15 minutes away from Geelong, making it a nice and easy day trip.
Fyansford Paper Mill
This industrial complex was built between 1876 and 1878, using locally-cut bluestone and brick. It’s one of the most complete of its kind, and is made up of the original mill buildings, as well as a house for the manager, six workers’ cottages and a bluestone water race with impeller, tower and stone weir. The mill operated until 1923, and since then, it’s had a number of owners, including the Australian Navy in World War II. If you’d like to learn more, you can take a guided tour. These tours run every Sunday, and take just over an hour. Bookings are essential.
After all that exploring, you must be hungry! For a leisurely day out, swing by The Door Gallery Cafe. Sip on coffee, enjoy a light bite to eat and soak in the sunshine. Or, head inside and listen to live music, and check out their collection of antique Indian doors. While you’re there, look out for their resident dog, Flow.
Otherwise, check out Provenance Wines, an award-winning restaurant and cellar door. On weekends, you can book a wine tasting. Sample their Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and small-batch releases. Dine under the high-vaulted ceilings of the restaurant, and tuck into their seasonal dishes, while admiring a 25 metre mural from international artist RONE.
For more art, swing by The Papermill Gallery and admire their exhibitions. Or, get a little creative yourself by taking part in their workshops. Try out a pottery class at Elizabeth Bell Ceramics, then purchase some timeless homewares. Then, do a bit of shopping and discover artisan jewellery, handcrafter platters and more. There’s also a yoga studio on site.
When you’re not wandering around the 2.8 hectare complex, take a moment to admire the nearby Buckley Falls. This scenic rock cascade is located upstream, and there’s a variety of trails, lookout spots and picnic areas for you to enjoy.
To see what’s happening around the Fyansford Paper Mill precinct, click here.
